Three state icons for operation

ABSTRACT

A three state icon for a computer is disclosed. The icon prevents inadvertent starting of an operation on a computer. The icon has a first state which conceals a second state. Upon selection of the first state with a computer pointing device (i.e., mouse), the icon will change to the second state. Upon selecting the icon in the second state, the operation on the computer will start. Accordingly, only upon selecting the icon in the first state and then the second state, the operation will commence on the computer thereby preventing accidental startup of the operation. Once the second state has been selected, the icon will change to a third state which indicates that the operation is proceeding on the computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a method of initiatingan operation on a computer, and more particularly to a method of usingan icon having three states that prevents inadvertent startup of theoperation.

[0002] A user interfaces with a computer using a graphical userinterface. The user can initiate operations on the computer by pointingand clicking with a pointing device such as a mouse or stylus.Typically, by pointing the mouse at a certain location on the computerscreen and then depressing a button on the pointing device, the user caninitiate operations on the computer. The operations may be graphicallyrepresented by icons on the computer display. In this respect byselecting the icon with the pointing device, the user can start adesired operation on the computer.

[0003] In order to ensure that the operation to be performed by thecomputer is the correct operation, the computer will typically query theuser if he or she wishes to proceed. If the user is performing afunction which is non-recoverable(i.e., formatting a disc), the computerwill display a dialog box on the display asking the user if he or shewishes to proceed. The user must respond to the query by the dialog boxin order for the operation to commence. This permits the user to changehis or her mind before the non-recoverable operation begins and ensuresthat the operation does not proceed inadvertently.

[0004] It will be recognized that initiating an improper operation onthe computer can be costly in terms of both time and money. Recordingmedium may be recordable only once such that if a mistake is made whilerecording, then the medium will not be reusable. As such, beforerecording a DVD or CD-ROM it is imperative to determine that the userwishes to record on the medium in order to prevent mistakes which maybecome costly later on.

[0005] Once the operation commences, the computer will typically displaya second dialog box which indicates the progress of the operation. Thesecond dialog box may be a graphical representation of the progress ofthe procedure or function being performed by the computer. This alertsthe user that the medium is being recorded so that the user will knowthe system's status.

[0006] It will be recognized that displaying a dialog box in order toensure that inadvertent startup of the operation doesn't happen will addan extra step for the user. More specifically, the user must respond tothe additional inquiry of the dialog box in order to ensure that theoperation will proceed. Additionally, the inclusion of the dialog boxcreates an additional step for the computer to process such thatvaluable processing resources of the computer are used.

[0007] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned deficienciesin the prior art by providing a method to ensure that inadvertentoperation of a computer operation is not performed. Additionally, thepresent invention provides a method whereby the status of an operationis displayed by the computer without the use of dialog boxes. In thisrespect, the present invention provides a three-state icon whichprevents inadvertent operation of the computer and display the status ofthe operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided asystem and method for performing an operation on a computer without theneed for dialog boxes such that inadvertent startup of the operation isnot possible. In this respect, the present invention provides an iconwhich has three states. The first state is a protective state which whenselected (i.e., activated) changes to a second state. The selection ofthe first state does not perform any function of the computer, except toreveal the second state. Selection of the second state by the user,commences the desired operation on the computer. In this respect, whenthe user activates the second state, the operation will proceed on thecomputer. When the operation is proceeding on the computer, the iconwill revert to a third state to show that the function is proceeding asdesired.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the firststate may be a graphical representation of an iris presented on thedisplay of the computer. The second state may be a graphicalrepresentation of a button which is depressed by the user in order tostart the operation. The iris will retract when activated from the firststate to the second state. It will be recognized that the icon can beselected or activated via a pointing device of the computer such as amouse. The icon is selected by positioning a pointer over the icon withthe mouse and depressing the appropriate button on the mouse. When theoperation on the computer is finished, the icon will revert back to thefirst state such that the user may proceed with the operation again.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided amethod of preventing accidental startup of a computer operation with anicon having a first, second and third states. The method comprisesinitially providing the icon in the first state. Next, the icon isactivated in the first state to reveal the second state. Finally, thesecond state is activated in order to start the operation on thecomputer. Upon selection of the second state, the icon will change tothe third state in order indicate that the operation is being performedon the computer. Finally, the icon will change back to the first stateupon completion of the operation and the method may be repeated asneeded by the user.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention there is provided acomputer readable medium containing a program which implements aprocedure to prevent inadvertent startup of an operation running on acomputer. The computer readable medium comprises providing an icon in afirst state and then activating the first state in order to reveal asecond state. Next, the icon is activated in the second state in orderto start the operation on the computer. The icon will revert to thethird state when activated in the second state in order to show thestatus of the operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These, as well as other features of the present invention, willbecome more apparent upon reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram for a computer which displays thepresent invention;

[0014]FIGS. 2a and 2 b are graphical representations of the three stateicon of the present invention in the first state;

[0015]FIGS. 3a and 3 b are graphical representations of the three stateicon in the second state;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the three state icontransitioning from the first state to the second state;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of three state icon pulsingin the second state;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the three state icon inthe third state;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the three state icon in analternative configuration of the third state;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the three state icon in afast pulse of the second state;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of the three state icontransitioning from the third state to the first state;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting the operation of the three stateicon of the present invention; and

[0023]FIG. 11 is a screen shot of an application utilizing the threestate icon of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are forpurposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present inventiononly and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 2-9 illustrate athree-state icon 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The icon 10 is displayed by a graphical user interface on adisplay 100 of a computer 110, shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, thecomputer 110 is programmed to generate the icon 10 in accordance withthe present invention. The computer 110 has a processor 112 inelectrical communication with the display 100 that is operative to formthe images thereon. Additionally, the computer 110 includes a memory 114(i.e., RAM, ROM, DRAM, etc . . . ) for storing information and an inputdevice 116 for inputting information. The input device 116 may be akeyboard, mouse, pointing device, touchscreen, etc . . . Additionally,the computer 110 may further include a peripheral device 118 whichperforms some critical, non-recoverable operation. In this regard, theperipheral device 116 may be a recordable DVD device or recordableCD-ROM device. Alternatively, the peripheral device 116 may be a storagedevice such as a tape or disc drive. In either instance, the peripheraldevice 116 may perform a critical operation that may not be recoverableif a mistake is made thereon. For example, if the peripheral device 116is a recordable DVD player, the recording of mistaken information on theDVD may be expensive due to the cost of the recording medium (i.e., theDVD disc).

[0025] The icon 10 is used to inform the computer 110 to begin startupof a prescribed operation. Specifically, by selecting (i.e.,activating)the icon 10 on the display 100 with an input device (i.e., mouse) 116through the known point-and-click technique, it is possible to have thecomputer 110 start the desired operation. As seen in FIG. 11, the icon10 may control the recording (i.e., burning) of a DVD and is responsiblefor commencing the recording of prescribed information onto a DVDthrough the use of an application 150 used for creating and organizingthe content on the DVD. It will be recognized, that the present exampleof burning a DVD is illustrious only, and in no way limiting of thefunction of the icon 10. Typically, the icon 10 will be used to initiatecritical operations on the computer 110 that are non-recoverable whereinthe inadvertent starting of the operation may be catastrophic.Accordingly, the three-state icon 10 may be used in applications rangingfrom the recording of a CD/DVD, formatting a disc, or any otherapplication wherein confirmation of proceeding should be made beforebeginning the operation.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2a, the icon 10 is shown in a first orprotective state 11. The first state 11 is a default state wherein thecomputer 110 will not begin the operation even though the icon 10 isselected. In this respect, the first state 11 can be thought of as asafety state wherein the operation cannot be directly started. In thepresent example, the icon 10 is shown as a graphical representation ofan iris. The iris will open when selected by the user, as will befurther explained below. When the icon 10 is in the first state 11, theiris has a plurality of leaves 12 in the closed position, as seen inFIG. 1a. Specifically, six leaves 12 are arranged in a spiral patternwherein each leaf 12 is generally triangularly shaped. The apex of eachof the leaves 12 meets at the center of the icon 10 when in the closedposition of the first state 11. When the icon 10 is in the first state11, access to the desired function of the computer 110 is not possible.Specifically, if the user selects the icon 10 while in the first state11, the operation associated with the icon 10 will not begin.Accordingly, the first state 11 indicates that the computer 110 is notperforming a function.

[0027] Upon selecting the icon 10 in the first state 11 by pressing theicon 10 with the computer mouse, the icon 10 will darken. Specifically,the leaves 12 of the icon 10 will change to a darker color, as seen inFIG. 2b. Immediately following therewith, the leaves 12 will transitioninto a retracted position, as seen in FIG. 4. Specifically, as seen inFIG. 4, the leaves 12 will retract toward the outer circumference of theicon 12 to gradually reveal the center of the icon 10 in a time frame ofabout 250 msec. The leaves 12 appear to retract by displaying thesequential images of the icon 10 in the order shown in FIG. 4. Eachsubsequent image presented on the display 100 will show each of theleaves 12 in a further opened position in order to show the irisretracting. As each of the images in FIG. 4 is displayed, the leaves 12will appear to retract in one continuous movement until they eachdisappear from the icon 10 and fully reveal the second state 14 shown inFIGS. 3a and 3 b. It will be recognized that the speed of retraction,and the number and type of leaves 12 can be varied depending upon thepreference of the program designer.

[0028] When the leaves 12 of the iris are in a fully retracted position,(i.e., they are not visible), the icon 10 is in the second state 14 uponwhich the user can activate (i.e., start) the desired operation, as seenin FIG. 3a. The second state is an activation state wherein theoperation can be activated with the icon 10. The second state 14comprises three light colored pie shaped segments 16 a, and three darkcolored pie shaped segments 16 b. The segments 16 a and 16 b alternatearound the icon 10, as seen in FIG. 3a. When the icon 10 is in thesecond state 14, the segments 16 a, 16 b pulse to indicate that thefirst state 11 has been retracted and the second state 14 is active.Specifically, as seen in FIG. 5, the segments 16 a, and 16 b willslightly darken at an interval of 1−cos(πt) for 10 seconds.

[0029] As the segments 16 pulse, the icon 10 is awaiting input from theuser in order to begin startup of the operation associated with the icon10. Specifically, in order to begin startup of the operation, the userwill press the icon 10 with the pointing device (i.e., input device116)to start the operation associated with the icon 10. The icon 10 isselected by pointing to the segments 16 a, 16 b with the mouse of thecomputer 110 and then clicking the appropriate button. Upon selectingthe icon 10 while in the second state 14, the segments 16 a, 16 b willdarken, as shown in FIG. 3b and the icon 10 will transition to a thirdstate 22 a or 22 b, as will be further explained below.

[0030] If the user does not select the segments 16 a, 16, within the tensecond pulsing period beginning, the period of pulsing will increase.Specifically, referring to FIG. 8, the period of pulsing will increaseto 1−cos(2 πt). The increased period of pulsing alerts the user that thesecond state 14 is revealed and active. It will be recognized that therate of flashing may be varied by the designer. Accordingly, the icon 10will pulse in the second state 14 for ten seconds at the slow rate, andfor five seconds at the fast rate in order to inform the user that theicon 10 is active in the second state 14 and ready for selecting by theuser.

[0031] If the user does not depress the segments 16 a, 16 b within thetotal 15 second time interval that the second state 14 is active, thenthe icon 10 will automatically revert back to the first state 11,thereby preventing the operation associated with the icon 10 fromstarting. Additionally, the icon 10 may be programmed such that if theuser selects any portion outside of the segments 16 a, 16 b, the icon 10will revert back to the first state 11, thereby preventing anyinadvertent commencement of the operation controlled by icon 10.

[0032] However, if the user depresses the segments 16 a, 16 b while theicon 10 is in the second state 14, the icon 10 will change to a thirdstate 22 a as shown in FIG. 6, if a CD-ROM is being recorded.Alternatively, if a DVD is being recorded, the icon 10 will revert to athird state 22 b, as seen in FIG. 7. Both of the third states 22 a and22 b are functionally similar, except that the image generated on thedisplay 100 varies. The third state 22 a or 22 b indicates that thedesired operation that the icon 10 controls is being performed by thecomputer 110. The third state 22 a or 22 b is an operation state thatindicates the operation has started on the computer 110. While the icon10 is in the third state 22 a, the segments 16 a, 16 b will appear to bespinning. The appearance of spinning is achieved by continuouslydisplaying the sequence of icons 10 in the order appearing in FIG. 6within 300 msec and repeating the sequence as the operation isproceeding on the computer 110. As previously mentioned, if a DVD isbeing recorded, then the third state 22 b indicates that the DVD isbeing recorded by changing the icon 10 to a DVD symbol in order toconserve system resources. It will be recognized that other indicationsthat the operation is being performed by the computer 110 may also occurdepending upon the preference of the designer. Upon completion of theoperation or manual stopping of the operation by the user, the icon 10will revert back to the first state 11 in order to prevent anyinadvertent operation from occurring. Specifically, once the operationis finished, the leaves 12 of the iris will close thereby hiding eitherthe third state 22 a or 22 b depending on the operation being performed.The leaves 12 will continually move toward the center of the icon 10during the closing process, as seen in FIG. 9. Specifically, thesequence of images shown in FIG. 9 will be displayed within about 250msec in order to change the icon 10 back to the first state 11.

[0033] It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe graphical representation of the icon 10 may be changed according tothe type of application. Accordingly, the examples above illustrate onlyone embodiment of the present invention, and multiple configurations arepossible which are beyond the scope of the present application. Forexample, the first state 11 may be represented by a door which is openedupon selection, while the second and third states 14, 22 a or 22 b aregraphical representations of the operation being performed. In thisrespect, the present invention provides for a first state 11 thatprevents inadvertent operation of the function by concealing the second14 and third states 22 a,22 b which are only revealed by selecting thefirst state 11.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart 30 of the operation of the icon10 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the icon 10 begins in thefirst state 11, as shown in step 32. As previously mentioned for thepresent example, the leaves 12 of the icon 10 will be in the closedposition when in the first state 11, and the icon 10 will be waiting tobe selected by the user. Next, the icon 10 is selected by the user instep 34. Specifically, the user will use the input device 116 of thecomputer 110 to select the icon 10 while in the first state 11. Thefirst state 11 is selected by pointing and clicking on the leaves 12 ofthe iris. When the icon 10 is selected, the first state 11 will retract,as seen in step 36. Specifically, the leaves 12 will retract toward theouter circumference of the icon 10, as previously described and shown inFIG. 4.

[0035] Upon retraction of the first state 11, then the second state 14will be revealed, as seen in step 38. The second state 14 awaitsselection by the user to start the operation the icon 10 controls andindicates that it is active by pulsing, as seen in FIG. 40. If the icon10 is not selected within 10 seconds of the second state being revealed,then the icon 10 will revert to a fast pulse as seen in step 42. If theicon 10 is selected within ten seconds of the second state 14 beingrevealed, then the third state 22 a or 22 b is revealed, as shown instep 44.

[0036] After the fast pulse is revealed for 15 seconds, then the icon 10will revert back to the first state 32. However, if the icon 10 isselected while the fast pulse is revealed, then the third state 22 a or22 b will be revealed as seen in step 44. Additionally, if any othersegment of the computer display 100 is selected while the icon 10 is inthe second state 14, the icon 10 will revert to the first state 11. Inthis respect, if the user selects anything other than the icon 10 whilein the second state 14, the icon 10 will revert to the first state 11.However, upon selection of the icon 10 in the second state 14, the icon10 will change to the third state 22 a or 22 b, as shown in step 44. Aspreviously mentioned above, the icon 10 is selected while in the secondstate 14 by pointing and clicking on the segments 16 a, 16 b with thecomputer input device 116.

[0037] When the icon 10 is in the third state 22 a or 22 b, the computer110 is informed to begin the operation associated with the icon 10, asseen in step 46. For instance, in the present example, a DVD or a CD-ROMmay be recorded. It will be recognized that other types of operationsmay begin depending upon the application which the icon 10 is programmedwithin. In addition to beginning the operation, the third state 22 a or22 b will indicate that the operation is commencing on the computer 110,as seen in step 48. The icon 10, while in the third state 22 aor 22 b,can show the status of the operation, (i.e., the progress completed), inaddition to showing that the operation is commencing.

[0038] Upon completion of the operation or the operation being manuallystopped by the user, the icon 10 will revert back to the first state 11so that the user may perform the operation again, if desired, as seen instep 50. It will be recognized that when the icon 10 is in the thirdstate 22 a or 22 b, it may be advantageous to configure the icon 10 suchthat it is not possible to manually stop the operation from beingperformed. Alternatively, the icon 10 may be configured such thatactivation of the icon 10 while in the third state 22 a or 22 b permitsthe user to cease the operation.

[0039] Additional modifications and improvements of the presentinvention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artsuch as making the icon 10 into different graphical representations.Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustratedherein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the presentinvention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternativedevices within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An icon programmable onto a and presentable upon a computer display,the icon operable to start an operation of the computer, the iconcomprising: a first state; and a second state revealed by selecting thefirst state, the second state being operable to start the operation onthe computer when selected.
 2. The icon of claim 1 further comprising: athird state revealed by selecting the second state, the third statebeing operable to indicate the status of the operation.
 3. The icon ofclaim 2 wherein the first state is a representation of an iris and thesecond state is a representation of a button.
 4. The icon of claim 3wherein the representation of the iris retracts when selected to revealthe second state.
 5. The icon of claim 4 wherein the iris is selectedwith a pointing device of the computer.
 6. The icon of claim 5 whereinthe pointing device is a mouse and the icon is selected by clicking onthe representation of the iris with the mouse.
 7. The icon of claim 3wherein the representation of the button is selected by a pointingdevice of the computer.
 8. The icon of claim 7 wherein the pointingdevice is a mouse and the icon is selected by clicking on therepresentation of the button with the mouse.
 9. The icon of claim 2wherein the icon is programmable to revert to the first state when theoperation is finished on the computer.
 10. The icon of claim 1 whereinthe operation is a critical operation.
 11. A method of preventingaccidental activation of an operation on a computer with an icon havinga first, second and third states, the method comprising the steps of: a)providing the icon in the first state; b) selecting the icon in thefirst state to reveal the second state; and c) selecting the icon in thesecond state in order to start the operation on the computer.
 12. Themethod of claim 11 further comprising the step: d) revealing the thirdstate after selection of the icon in the second state in order toindicate that the operation is being performed on the computer.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein step (a) comprises providing the icon in afirst state that is a graphical representation of an iris.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein step (b) comprises selecting the icon toreveal a second state that is a graphical representation of a button.15. The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) comprises revealing thesecond state by retracting the graphical representation of the iris. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein step (b) comprises selecting the iconwith a pointing device of the computer.
 17. The method of claim 12wherein step (d) further comprises reverting the icon to the first statewhen the operation is completed on the computer.
 18. The method of claim12 wherein the operation is a critical operation.
 19. A computerreadable medium containing a program which implements a procedurepreventing inadvertent activation of an operation running on a computer,with an icon having a first, second and third states, comprising:providing the icon in the first state; selecting the icon in the firststate to reveal the second state; and selecting the icon in the secondstate in order to start the operation on the computer; wherein the firststate prevents accidental activation by concealing the second state. 20.The computer readable medium of claim 19 further comprising revealingthe third state after selection of the icon in the second state in orderto indicate that the operation is being performed on the computer. 21.The computer readable medium of claim 20 further comprising providingthe icon in the first state as a graphical representation of an iris.22. The computer readable medium of claim 20 further comprisingselecting the icon in the first state to reveal the second state as agraphical representation of a button.
 23. The computer readable mediumof claim 22 further comprising revealing the second state by retractingthe graphical representation of the iris.
 24. The computer readablemedium of claim 23 further comprising selecting the icon with a computerpointing device.
 25. The computer readable medium of claim 24 whereinthe computer pointing device is a mouse and the icon is selected byclicking on the icon with the mouse.
 26. The computer readable medium ofclaim 20 further comprising reverting the icon to the first state afterthe operation is completed on the computer.
 27. The computer readablemedium of claim 20 wherein the operation is a critical operation.
 28. Athree state icon for preventing accidental startup of a computeroperation, the three state icon comprising: concealing means; andactivation means operable to start the computer operation, wherein theactivation means are revealed upon selection of the concealing meanssuch that the activation of the computer operation can only occur whenboth the concealing means and the activation means have been selectedsequentially.